Hilda Baci, whose full name is Hilda Effiong Bassey, is a remarkable 27-year-old Nigerian chef and food entrepreneur from Akwa Ibom State. She currently resides and conducts her business in Lagos, where she owns and operates a popular restaurant named ‘My Food By Hilda.’
This talented chef is determined to break the Guinness World Record for the longest non-stop cooking marathon, which currently stands at 87 hours and 45 minutes. The current record holder, Lata Tandon, an Indian chef from Rewa, Madhya Pradesh, set this record in 2019, surpassing the previous record by a staggering 20 hours.
Hilda Baci is no stranger to success, having already established herself as a powerhouse in the Nigerian food industry. Last year, she emerged as the winner of the first edition of Jollof Face Off, a cooking competition, and walked away with the grand prize of $5,000 along with several other rewards.
During a press conference held ahead of the Hilda Baci Cook-A-Thon, the young chef credited her success to the influence of her parents, particularly her mother. She shared how her mother started her own food business using a small canopy and went out of her way to ensure her customers had the best experience, even if it meant sacrificing profits at times. Today, Hilda’s mother owns one of the largest restaurants in Abuja, specializing in Akwa Ibom and Cross River cuisine.
In an interview on television, Hilda Baci spoke passionately about breaking barriers as a woman and encouraging others to believe in themselves. She stated, “We live in a world where women tend to underestimate what they can do or achieve in life. This has to change.” Her determination to break the world record is a testament to her unwavering spirit and her desire to inspire others.
Overall, Hilda Baci is an inspiration to many and we are all rooting for her to break the Guinness World Record and continue making waves in the culinary world.